D'backs may be making an unprecedented comeback

As if we needed another reason to marvel at the topsy-turvy nature of baseball -- nice going, Yankees and Astros -- we offer up the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In case your memory is as bad as ours, the Snakes lost 111 games last season, the worst season by a National League team since 1965, when the Mets (50-112) entertained the Shea Stadium faithful by featuring one of the oldest batteries of all-time with 44-year-old Warren Spahn throwing junk to 40-year- old Yogi Berra.

But we digress. The Diamondbacks -- boosted by a resurgent offense (Troy Glaus and Shawn Green) and solid, young pitchers (Brandon Webb and Brad Halsey) -- were 14-10 on the morning of May 1, the best first-month record ever for a team that lost at least 110 games the year before. The 2004 Diamondbacks were the 15th team to lose at least 110, and of the previous 14, only two others finished the following April with a winning record:

** FILE ** San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds is shown in a 2005 photo. Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth are shown in undated photos. Bonds' chase of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron will have to wait _ and maybe for a while. Two knee operations and baseball's steroids scandal have taken a toll on the San Francisco Giants' slugger, who said he may not play this season. (AP Photo/File) Ran on: 03-31-2005 less

** FILE ** San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds is shown in a 2005 photo. Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth are shown in undated photos. Bonds' chase of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron will have to wait _ and maybe for a while. ... more

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Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens reacts after giving up a home run to Chicago Cubs' Jeromy Burnitz during the seventh inning Friday, April 29, 2005 in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens reacts after giving up a home run to Chicago Cubs' Jeromy Burnitz during the seventh inning Friday, April 29, 2005 in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Photo: DAVID J. PHILLIP

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Montreal Expos pitcher Livan Hernandez tips his cap to the crowd after being taken out of the game against the New York Mets during seventh inning NL action in Montreal, Thursday, July 24, 2003. (AP PHOTO/Ryan Remiorz) cat less

Montreal Expos pitcher Livan Hernandez tips his cap to the crowd after being taken out of the game against the New York Mets during seventh inning NL action in Montreal, Thursday, July 24, 2003. (AP PHOTO/Ryan ... more

Photo: RYAN REMIORZ

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D'backs may be making an unprecedented comeback

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And after taking two of three from the Giants last week, the Diamondbacks entered the weekend 17-12, the fourth-best record in the NL and just a game behind the Dodgers in the NL West.

While the D'backs and manager Bob Melvin are dreaming of a return to the postseason, a winning season would be spectacular enough, and it would be a first: The best record following a 110-loss season belongs to the '04 Tigers who were 72-90, a 29-game improvement over the previous year.

April reign: Miguel Tejada of the Orioles knocked in 31 runs during the first month, breaking the franchise mark for April set by Mike Bordick, who drove in 29 in April 2000.

Before 34: Pedro Martinez of the Mets recorded his 2,700th strikeout last week, and he's just 33 years old. Only two pitchers had as many as 2,800 strikeouts before their 34th birthday: Nolan Ryan with 3,109 and Walter Johnson with 2,835.

Cinco de Misso: Yankees rookie first baseman Andy Phillips struck out five times on May 2, tying the major-league record for a nine-inning game. He joins two other Yankees with the dubious distinction: Bernie Williams on Aug. 21, 1991, and Johnny Broaca on June 25, 1934.

Kentucky mash: With Derby weekend upon us, we are reminded that the Bluegrass State spawns more than just prized ponies. A slew of sluggers, too, including Angels outfielder Steve Finley (born in Paducah).

Finley (291 career homers) needs 19 more to tie Jay Buhner (Louisville) for first on the all-time list of Kentuckian clubbers. Two others KY'ers have hit more than 200 homers: Travis Fryman (Louisville) 223 and Gus Bell (Lexington) 206.

The previous time two Yankees pitchers made their debuts as starters before May 5 was 61 years ago when Johnny Johnson and Monk Dubiel started each end of a doubleheader on April 19, 1944.

Both sides now: Atlanta's Chipper Jones is climbing various home run charts. He recently hit his 315th career homer, moving past Reggie Smith and into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time switch-hitter list. Next up is Chili Davis at 350.

Jones also needs 20 more to tie Hank Aaron for second place for most hit in an Atlanta uniform.

Random numbers: Barry Zito is off to a slow start, but he was leading the league in at least one category entering play Saturday: hit by pitches. Zito has hit five batters this season. It's been 46 years since the last A's pitcher led the league in HBPs: Johnny Kucks hit a dozen in 1959 as a member of the Kansas City A's. ... The 16 runs the A's yielded to the Rangers on Wednesday were the most they'd given up at the Coliseum since the Giants posted an 18-2 victory on June 4, 2000. ... Apologies to Cardinals fans everywhere. Jim Bottomley, who holds the record (along with Mark Whiten) with 12 RBIs in one game, is indeed a member of the Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 1974.

Trivia question

With Barry Bonds out indefinitely, it's very likely that his run of five straight years leading the league in bases on balls will come to an end. Who's the last player, other than Bonds, to lead the NL in walks?.

Minor report

Dallas Braden of the Stockton Ports (A's Class-A) led the California League with 42 strikeouts in 282/3 innings entering the weekend. He was 4-0 in his first five starts with a solid 3.14 ERA..

Washington Nationals right-hander Livan Hernandez last week collected his 30th complete game since the start of the 2000 season, more than any other big- league pitcher. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson are tied for second with 25..